THIS refers to the letter ‘Reckless policy on two-year degrees’ (Jan 3). I wish to present another angle of the matter concerned. At present, several postgraduate students are enrolled in two-year MSc dental/medical programmes in various clinical and basic specialities at leading public-sector medical universities.

These two-year degree programmes were started at various clinical specialities to produce mid-level clinical specialists to meet consultants’ shortfalls and promote them as clinical specialists to serve in rural areas throughout the country.

All such doctors, who will be passing these two-year MSc programmes in basic specialities, will be better qualified to serve and to be hired as lecturers/demonstrators at various dental and medical institutions.

Unfortunately, most Higher Education Commission (HEC) executive decision-makers and stakeholders are non-medical/dental academicians having a poor understanding of related health profession academics and our professional needs, which leads to immature decisions.

In line with the saying ‘think globally, act locally’, HEC stakeholders should revisit the hasty decision of abolishing two-year degree programmes in the larger interest of dental and medical professions, postgraduate trainees and indeed, the public at large. Besides, all existing two-year postgraduate programmes should be promoted, and if it is necessary to abolish them, at least a timeframe should be considered to execute this plan.

All related dental and medical academic stakeholders should be involved in such decisions, as related health professional specialists’ significance cannot be ignored.

Prof Shahjahan Katpar

Dean, Faculty of Dentistry

DUHS, Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2021